Arnold was a key member of then manager Paul Hurst’s side and scored in Town’s play-off final triumph against Forest Green at Wembley.

“I enjoyed my time there,” he recalled. “When I first went there I’d fallen out of love with football a little bit at Cambridge. I wasn’t getting enough game time and I’d become stagnant. But Grimsby kicked me back into life, initially on a season-long loan, and I fell in love with football again.

Nathan Arnold in action for the Imps(Image: CameraSport)

“We had two Wembley visits, including promotion, and off the pitch I made some really good friends. It’s a special football club, just like Lincoln is. And they’re both very well supported.”

With local bragging rights, as well as crucial League Two points up for grabs, Arnold is not taking a friendly reception for granted from the Mariners.